Six-month sting leads to Sarasota 'fencing' arrests

Published: Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 9:08 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 9:08 a.m.

Sheriff’s deputies have arrested two men for allegedly fencing stolen property out of their Sarasota convenience store.

During a six month joint operation with the Sarasota Police Department, undercover detectives sold thousands of dollars in what they said was stolen jewelry to Rami Ibsais, 43, and his brother Saed Ebsais, 41, both of 6023 44th Court East, Bradenton. The transactions occurred on seven different occasions at the First Stop on U.S. 301, at the 10th Street intersection, near Gillespie Park.

Detectives arrested executed a search warrant on the store yesterday, seizing 150 pieces of gold jewelry and a significant amount of cash. The brothers, who had been buying gold jewelry for the past year and a half, were both arrested.

Now, detectives from both agencies are working to try to determine which of the items are stolen so they can be returned to their rightful owners.

The men had obtained a second hand dealer license but were not submitting the proper paperwork or documenting the transactions according to the Sarasota County ordinance.

Ibsais is charged with three counts of dealing in stolen property and six counts of violating the Second Hand Dealer ordinance.

Ebsais is charged with two counts of dealing in stolen property, two counts of accessory to dealing in stolen property and four counts of violating the Second Hand Dealer ordinance.

Ebsais is in this country on an expired visa so Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on him. Detectives are conferring with federal authorities to determine if additional charges are appropriate.

<p>Sheriff's deputies have arrested two men for allegedly fencing stolen property out of their Sarasota convenience store.</p><p>During a six month joint operation with the Sarasota Police Department, undercover detectives sold thousands of dollars in what they said was stolen jewelry to Rami Ibsais, 43, and his brother Saed Ebsais, 41, both of 6023 44th Court East, Bradenton. The transactions occurred on seven different occasions at the First Stop on U.S. 301, at the 10th Street intersection, near Gillespie Park.</p><p>Detectives arrested executed a search warrant on the store yesterday, seizing 150 pieces of gold jewelry and a significant amount of cash. The brothers, who had been buying gold jewelry for the past year and a half, were both arrested.</p><p>Now, detectives from both agencies are working to try to determine which of the items are stolen so they can be returned to their rightful owners.</p><p>The men had obtained a second hand dealer license but were not submitting the proper paperwork or documenting the transactions according to the Sarasota County ordinance.</p><p>Ibsais is charged with three counts of dealing in stolen property and six counts of violating the Second Hand Dealer ordinance. </p><p>Ebsais is charged with two counts of dealing in stolen property, two counts of accessory to dealing in stolen property and four counts of violating the Second Hand Dealer ordinance.</p><p>Ebsais is in this country on an expired visa so Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on him. Detectives are conferring with federal authorities to determine if additional charges are appropriate.</p><p><empty></p>